How to Tell a Quality Sofa

Ask what type of wood the frame is made of. The term "kiln-dried" refers to wood that has been fully dried and cured before it is crafted into a sofa frame. Kiln-dried hardwoods such as oak, beech or ash are strongest and sturdiest. Green wood, or softwoods such as pine, can warp, shrink or crack over time and compromise the integrity of your sofa's frame. Plastic, metal and particleboard are also inferior to kiln-dried hardwood when it comes to sofa sturdiness and strength.

Inspect the joints on the frame, looking at exactly how the wood pieces are joined together. Joints connected with metal screws and brackets, wooden dowels or wooden corner blocks are signs of quality construction. Staples and glue may be used in conjunction with these methods to further strengthen the construction, but if they are the sole means of joining the frame pieces together, that is a red flag. This advice applies to the legs of the sofa as well. If it is impossible to see the joinery because of the piece's upholstery, ask your salesperson for written confirmation of the sofa's construction from the manufacturer.

Ask about the type of springs used in the sofa. Eight-way hand-tied springs are generally considered the highest quality. Serpentine springs, also called sinuous springs, can be of good quality as well, if they're made of heavy metal and positioned closely together. Some sofas don't have springs at all but rather have webbing or mesh; this construction is lower in quality.

Inquire about the filling or padding in the sofa. Goose down has long been the gold standard; however, it is expensive and needs to be fluffed often. Goose or duck feathers are somewhat less expensive than down, but they are not as soft and can clump. A satisfactory alternative is blendown, a combination of goose down, feathers and polyester fibers. High-resilient foam is another comfortable, long-lasting choice, as is polyester batting wrapped around a core of conventional foam.

Feel and inspect the upholstery, and ask about its fiber makeup. Fabrics that tend to wear well include leather, wool, microfiber and tightly woven cotton or linen. Synthetic fibers including olefin, nylon and polyester are durable and resist stains. Silk, while beautiful and expensive, is fragile and best reserved for formal rooms that get little actual use. Chenille and velvet are soft to the touch and effectively hide dirt. Thicker, durable fabrics such as denim or twill are excellent choices for families with children.